What did you do on your layout today?

Trying to decide on positioning of the recently acquired 497 coaling station.  Which is better - over the mainline or on a dedicated siding?

JD2035RR posted:

Trying to decide on positioning of the recently acquired 497 coaling station.  Which is better - over the mainline or on a dedicated siding?

JD- If you put it on a siding then you can still run a train on the main line while loading/ unloading hoppers.

Bob

JD2035RR posted:

briansilvermustang posted:

              OK...

 

Awesome smoke from the diesel. It almost looks like it’s creating a mushroom cloud.

CSX Al posted:

Started gluing up the Coast Grocery - Ultra Scale ll building flat by Chooch. It is a big building 23 x 18tall and comes in three sections. It is going between the concrete warehouse I just finished and the Cargill elevators on my layout. I am going to make this into a Iroquois Brewery, since it was just announced that they are reopening in Buffalo and I do have some reefer cars to with it.

 Here is an old photo of their 1900 brewery. I think my building selection works with arch topped windows that gives that grand feeling of the area in red.

I found this photo from 1950's and I think I am going to do the Indian head sign.

I found this bookend that I can make a mold for the head.

Speaking of Iroquois beer.   I tried emailing the guy that had their cars with the big awesome indian on in.  (ron)      Hadnt heard back from him.   Those cars are AWESOME!!! Really like those flats.  Enjoy seeing them used and learning about them!

Jim

carsntrains posted:

I have to move a bunch of stuff on my layout.  Getting ready for the new track coming in tomorrow!   Also today I had contact with Woodland Scenics about my mishap.   Not one mention from them about helping me out.   Reckon I am supposed to know that all those connectors that look the same have different voltage on them.  I do now.   And that Menards buildings have only one plug, one type of power source, and you cant plug anything up wrong no matter now silly you are lol  : )   

Jim 

Did you make a thread about this? I just bought a bunch of Just Plug stuff, and don't want to have a mishap myself!

mike g. posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Ran trains for about a hour last night. Since I took all the diesels off the layout I had my post-war 2026 and MTH 0-4-0 tank running. Smoked out the basement pretty good .
The rest of the house was none to pleased

gotta put in an exhaust fan........

Ran this guy for a while too....more smoke

Nice Jim! Next time just tell them its a fire drill! LOL

Looks good, Bob!!  I would like to do as JD suggested, "smoke 'em if you got 'em", but the smoke messes with my wife's asthma, so ours is a "smoke free house"!  

When's the next Ice Cream train due and is it on time?

CSX Al posted:

Started gluing up the Coast Grocery - Ultra Scale ll building flat by Chooch. It is a big building 23 x 18tall and comes in three sections. It is going between the concrete warehouse I just finished and the Cargill elevators on my layout. I am going to make this into a Iroquois Brewery, since it was just announced that they are reopening in Buffalo and I do have some reefer cars to with it.

 Here is an old photo of their 1900 brewery. I think my building selection works with arch topped windows that gives that grand feeling of the area in red.

I found this photo from 1950's and I think I am going to do the Indian head sign.

I found this bookend that I can make a mold for the head.

Looks great. 

mike g. posted:

Man Elliot you sure have a lot of ground to cover! But its looking great! I really like the pipe layers you picked up, I watched a couple of videos of them in action, kinda impressive! One question and I know you probably answered this before, but how do you clean the top of your rails after painting them?

Thanks Mike. Nothing very scientific when it comes to cleaning the tops of the rail. The paint is latex, and it tears rather easily. Sometimes I use a plastic razor blade, but most of the time I just use scrap of Masonite. I have also tried a Scotch Brite pad and even my thumbnail. The one thing I hate is a ragged edge on the outside of the rail head.

RSJB18 posted:

Ran trains for about a hour last night. Since I took all the diesels off the layout I had my post-war 2026 and MTH 0-4-0 tank running. Smoked out the basement pretty good .
The rest of the house was none to pleased

gotta put in an exhaust fan........

Ran this guy for a while too....more smoke

Just tell 'em it's aromatherapy!  

Mitch

Deuce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I have to move a bunch of stuff on my layout.  Getting ready for the new track coming in tomorrow!   Also today I had contact with Woodland Scenics about my mishap.   Not one mention from them about helping me out.   Reckon I am supposed to know that all those connectors that look the same have different voltage on them.  I do now.   And that Menards buildings have only one plug, one type of power source, and you cant plug anything up wrong no matter now silly you are lol  : )   

Jim 

Did you make a thread about this? I just bought a bunch of Just Plug stuff, and don't want to have a mishap myself!

Deuce no I didnt.  What the deal is if you have more than 4 of their buildings.  You have to buy an "expansion hub", a "light hub" and their power source.   You plug the power source into the "expansion hub", which has 4 out ports on it.  Then plug the "light hub" (which has 4 out ports on it) into the "expansion hub".   Well I have 5 light up buildings so I figured heck that "expansion hub" has 3 empty ports!!   So I plug the other buildings into it.  No problem.   Then I tried the single LEDs that came with the "light hub"   Plugged one in the "light hub".   No problem.  Then plugged one in the "power hub" and it got bright and went out.    HMMMM so in all my genius I plug the other one into the "power hub"    It got bright and went out.  So I took the other 2 buildings off of the PH and into the LH and they were dimmer.   Back into the PH and they were brighter.    AHHHHHH   More votage in PH than LH.     They said "YEP.. You burned them up.  Sorry....   Too bad."   All of the hubs, buildings, and add in lights have the same male and female plugs on them.      OH but you dont need to have ANY electrical knowledge to use them.   And nowhere in the instructions or boxes does it say not to plug things into the "expansion hub".... And thats my novel lol

Jim

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

RSJB18 posted:

Ran trains for about a hour last night. Since I took all the diesels off the layout I had my post-war 2026 and MTH 0-4-0 tank running. Smoked out the basement pretty good .
The rest of the house was none to pleased

gotta put in an exhaust fan........

Ran this guy for a while too....more smoke

Just tell 'em it's aromatherapy!  

Mitch

Gotta get the bacon scented fluid

carsntrains posted:

Deuce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I have to move a bunch of stuff on my layout.  Getting ready for the new track coming in tomorrow!   Also today I had contact with Woodland Scenics about my mishap.   Not one mention from them about helping me out.   Reckon I am supposed to know that all those connectors that look the same have different voltage on them.  I do now.   And that Menards buildings have only one plug, one type of power source, and you cant plug anything up wrong no matter now silly you are lol  : )   

Jim 

Did you make a thread about this? I just bought a bunch of Just Plug stuff, and don't want to have a mishap myself!

Deuce no I didnt.  What the deal is if you have more than 4 of their buildings.  You have to buy an "expansion hub", a "light hub" and their power source.   You plug the power source into the "expansion hub", which has 4 out ports on it.  Then plug the "light hub" (which has 4 out ports on it) into the "expansion hub".   Well I have 5 light up buildings so I figured heck that "expansion hub" has 3 empty ports!!   So I plug the other buildings into it.  No problem.   Then I tried the single LEDs that came with the "light hub"   Plugged one in the "light hub".   No problem.  Then plugged one in the "power hub" and it got bright and went out.    HMMMM so in all my genius I plug the other one into the "power hub"    It got bright and went out.  So I took the other 2 buildings off of the PH and into the LH and they were dimmer.   Back into the PH and they were brighter.    AHHHHHH   More votage in PH than LH.     They said "YEP.. You burned them up.  Sorry....   Too bad."   All of the hubs, buildings, and add in lights have the same male and female plugs on them.      OH but you dont need to have ANY electrical knowledge to use them.   And nowhere in the instructions or boxes does it say not to plug things into the "expansion hub".... And thats my novel lol

Jim

basic electric 101- different voltages require different plugs to prevent this from happening. I can't believe that WS uses the same plugs for a "plug and play" device. Every wall-wart in the world has a plug based on the output voltage. No way you could plug a 12v power supply into a 6v device.

I would scream long and loud at them until they replace the items that burned out. That's not right.

Bob

    To instruct  well, the instructor must instruct as if the students know absolutely nothing.   I think that's Plato... loosely paraphrased  

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

mike g. posted:

Man Elliot you sure have a lot of ground to cover! But its looking great! I really like the pipe layers you picked up, I watched a couple of videos of them in action, kinda impressive! One question and I know you probably answered this before, but how do you clean the top of your rails after painting them?

Thanks Mike. Nothing very scientific when it comes to cleaning the tops of the rail. The paint is latex, and it tears rather easily. Sometimes I use a plastic razor blade, but most of the time I just use scrap of Masonite. I have also tried a Scotch Brite pad and even my thumbnail. The one thing I hate is a ragged edge on the outside of the rail head.

Thanks Elliot for sharing that information, you ROCK!

RSJB18 posted:

carsntrains posted:

Deuce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I have to move a bunch of stuff on my layout.  Getting ready for the new track coming in tomorrow!   Also today I had contact with Woodland Scenics about my mishap.   Not one mention from them about helping me out.   Reckon I am supposed to know that all those connectors that look the same have different voltage on them.  I do now.   And that Menards buildings have only one plug, one type of power source, and you cant plug anything up wrong no matter now silly you are lol  : )   

Jim 

Did you make a thread about this? I just bought a bunch of Just Plug stuff, and don't want to have a mishap myself!

Deuce no I didnt.  What the deal is if you have more than 4 of their buildings.  You have to buy an "expansion hub", a "light hub" and their power source.   You plug the power source into the "expansion hub", which has 4 out ports on it.  Then plug the "light hub" (which has 4 out ports on it) into the "expansion hub".   Well I have 5 light up buildings so I figured heck that "expansion hub" has 3 empty ports!!   So I plug the other buildings into it.  No problem.   Then I tried the single LEDs that came with the "light hub"   Plugged one in the "light hub".   No problem.  Then plugged one in the "power hub" and it got bright and went out.    HMMMM so in all my genius I plug the other one into the "power hub"    It got bright and went out.  So I took the other 2 buildings off of the PH and into the LH and they were dimmer.   Back into the PH and they were brighter.    AHHHHHH   More votage in PH than LH.     They said "YEP.. You burned them up.  Sorry....   Too bad."   All of the hubs, buildings, and add in lights have the same male and female plugs on them.      OH but you dont need to have ANY electrical knowledge to use them.   And nowhere in the instructions or boxes does it say not to plug things into the "expansion hub".... And thats my novel lol

Jim

basic electric 101- different voltages require different plugs to prevent this from happening. I can't believe that WS uses the same plugs for a "plug and play" device. Every wall-wart in the world has a plug based on the output voltage. No way you could plug a 12v power supply into a 6v device.

I would scream long and loud at them until they replace the items that burned out. That's not right.

Bob

I installed a bunch of the Just Plug gear on my layout with no issues, and I love it. I'd like to make two comments...

First, while it may not specifically say "don't plug lights into expansion hubs" (I dread to think how long the instructions would be if they listed everything you shouldn't do ), there is a very clear set up diagram online and with each hub I purchased showing what connects to what - it is sort of a hierarchical arrangement... power into the expansion hub, expansion hub to the light hubs, light hubs to the lights.

Second, and please keep in mind I am a self admitted Techno-peasant, the use of the same plugs may be by design. The expansion cables connect the expansion hubs to the light hubs, but they also can connect to any light wire to make it longer and connect to a light hub.

My two cents worth!!!

mike g. posted:

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

mike g. posted:

Man Elliot you sure have a lot of ground to cover! But its looking great! I really like the pipe layers you picked up, I watched a couple of videos of them in action, kinda impressive! One question and I know you probably answered this before, but how do you clean the top of your rails after painting them?

Thanks Mike. Nothing very scientific when it comes to cleaning the tops of the rail. The paint is latex, and it tears rather easily. Sometimes I use a plastic razor blade, but most of the time I just use scrap of Masonite. I have also tried a Scotch Brite pad and even my thumbnail. The one thing I hate is a ragged edge on the outside of the rail head.

Thanks Elliot for sharing that information, you ROCK!

You're welcome Mike. I have no secrets, all you have to do is ask, and I'll answer.

Apples55 posted:

RSJB18 posted:

carsntrains posted:

Deuce posted:

carsntrains posted:

I have to move a bunch of stuff on my layout.  Getting ready for the new track coming in tomorrow!   Also today I had contact with Woodland Scenics about my mishap.   Not one mention from them about helping me out.   Reckon I am supposed to know that all those connectors that look the same have different voltage on them.  I do now.   And that Menards buildings have only one plug, one type of power source, and you cant plug anything up wrong no matter now silly you are lol  : )   

Jim 

Did you make a thread about this? I just bought a bunch of Just Plug stuff, and don't want to have a mishap myself!

Deuce no I didnt.  What the deal is if you have more than 4 of their buildings.  You have to buy an "expansion hub", a "light hub" and their power source.   You plug the power source into the "expansion hub", which has 4 out ports on it.  Then plug the "light hub" (which has 4 out ports on it) into the "expansion hub".   Well I have 5 light up buildings so I figured heck that "expansion hub" has 3 empty ports!!   So I plug the other buildings into it.  No problem.   Then I tried the single LEDs that came with the "light hub"   Plugged one in the "light hub".   No problem.  Then plugged one in the "power hub" and it got bright and went out.    HMMMM so in all my genius I plug the other one into the "power hub"    It got bright and went out.  So I took the other 2 buildings off of the PH and into the LH and they were dimmer.   Back into the PH and they were brighter.    AHHHHHH   More votage in PH than LH.     They said "YEP.. You burned them up.  Sorry....   Too bad."   All of the hubs, buildings, and add in lights have the same male and female plugs on them.      OH but you dont need to have ANY electrical knowledge to use them.   And nowhere in the instructions or boxes does it say not to plug things into the "expansion hub".... And thats my novel lol

Jim

basic electric 101- different voltages require different plugs to prevent this from happening. I can't believe that WS uses the same plugs for a "plug and play" device. Every wall-wart in the world has a plug based on the output voltage. No way you could plug a 12v power supply into a 6v device.

I would scream long and loud at them until they replace the items that burned out. That's not right.

Bob

I installed a bunch of the Just Plug gear on my layout with no issues, and I love it. I'd like to make two comments...

First, while it may not specifically say "don't plug lights into expansion hubs" (I dread to think how long the instructions would be if they listed everything you shouldn't do ), there is a very clear set up diagram online and with each hub I purchased showing what connects to what - it is sort of a hierarchical arrangement... power into the expansion hub, expansion hub to the light hubs, light hubs to the lights.

Second, and please keep in mind I am a self admitted Techno-peasant, the use of the same plugs may be by design. The expansion cables connect the expansion hubs to the light hubs, but they also can connect to any light wire to make it longer and connect to a light hub.

My two cents worth!!!

Yep and you COULD plug the power source directly into a building. Seeing it has the same plug.  Who would have thought the expansion hub and light hub would have different voltage?  

Jim

carsntrains posted:

Yep and you COULD plug the power source directly into a building. Seeing it has the same plug.  Who would have thought the expansion hub and light hub would have different voltage?  

Jim

 

And you can also take one of the extender cords, plug it into the power receptacle on any hub, cut off the other end and use the wires to connect to a transformer which is what I ended up doing.

Apples55 posted:

carsntrains posted:

Yep and you COULD plug the power source directly into a building. Seeing it has the same plug.  Who would have thought the expansion hub and light hub would have different voltage?  

Jim

 

And you can also take one of the extender cords, plug it into the power receptacle on any hub, cut off the other end and use the wires to connect to a transformer which is what I ended up doing.

Hmph ... glad I used a 40% off coupon to buy the transformer for the expansion/light hub.

Deuce, I seen your name pop up and thought you were going to tell us you bought something new and had it shipped to work! LOL

mike g. posted:

Deuce, I seen your name pop up and thought you were going to tell us you bought something new and had it shipped to work! LOL

No, but I did buy a pair of Pennsy ore cars! I'm going to stop buying stuff at some point!

Deuce posted:

mike g. posted:

Deuce, I seen your name pop up and thought you were going to tell us you bought something new and had it shipped to work! LOL

No, but I did buy a pair of Pennsy ore cars! I'm going to stop buying stuff at some point!

I believe that point is know as death   

Apples55 posted:

Deuce posted:

mike g. posted:

Deuce, I seen your name pop up and thought you were going to tell us you bought something new and had it shipped to work! LOL

No, but I did buy a pair of Pennsy ore cars! I'm going to stop buying stuff at some point!

I believe that point is know as death   

LOL we have all said that! But that's ok, we won't tell your wife!

I still have the master carton from the MTH set I just bought sitting in my office. Still trying to figure out how to smuggle it into the house

RSJB18 posted:

I still have the master carton from the MTH set I just bought sitting in my office. Still trying to figure out how to smuggle it into the house

Our (I almost said "mine" but I need to remind myself it's primarily for the boys) layout might be in the workshop (downside) but at least I don't have to walk through the house to get to it (upside).

mike g. posted:

Apples55 posted:

Deuce posted:

mike g. posted:

Deuce, I seen your name pop up and thought you were going to tell us you bought something new and had it shipped to work! LOL

No, but I did buy a pair of Pennsy ore cars! I'm going to stop buying stuff at some point!

I believe that point is know as death   

LOL we have all said that! But that's ok, we won't tell your wife!

If people would stop accepting my lowball offers on eBay, I'd be good. 

Maybe I just need to go lower on my offers?

mike g. posted:

Apples55 posted:

Deuce posted:

mike g. posted:

Deuce, I seen your name pop up and thought you were going to tell us you bought something new and had it shipped to work! LOL

No, but I did buy a pair of Pennsy ore cars! I'm going to stop buying stuff at some point!

I believe that point is know as death   

LOL we have all said that! But that's ok, we won't tell your wife!

Well, Mike, in my case anyway, telling isn't a concern... I have been happily divorced for quite a while (though I did have dinner with my ex-mother-in-law last night, so I'm not sure the divorce is absolutely final!!!). When it comes to trains, I am answerable only to God, myself, and the credit card company   

This morning I got the legs done and the table top down. All that is left on that is to make a couple of cross braces for below to hold a shelf up and paint the wood. Already put the grain elevator on the table. Not in the spot I want it but off the other table so I can work on that. That has been it so far today. I got another set of Weaver trucks and couplers from EBAY in the mail today. Was going to put some more time in on the layout but the wife asked if I would make some Sauerkraut soup. Of course I said yes to the CEO. But it takes a long time to make. Plus I had to go outside and snow blow the driveway. So that all pretty much filled the day so far. Pics..............Paul

At least you got some time down there Paul. Things are looking very nice!

Deuce posted:

Apples55 posted:

carsntrains posted:

Yep and you COULD plug the power source directly into a building. Seeing it has the same plug.  Who would have thought the expansion hub and light hub would have different voltage?  

Jim

 

And you can also take one of the extender cords, plug it into the power receptacle on any hub, cut off the other end and use the wires to connect to a transformer which is what I ended up doing.

Hmph ... glad I used a 40% off coupon to buy the transformer for the expansion/light hub.

Yeah I got mine off of Amazon pretty cheap.   Aint no big deal I just ordered another light hub with 2 more separate LEDs .   I'm glad houses and garages aren't set up like that.   Hmmm Is that plug 110 or 220??   LOL   

Apples that is how I had my bar running.  I just figured since I had purchased 4 more buildings I would set them up with the WS stuff.  Glad I just burnt up two individual LEDs.  

Jim 

paul 2 posted:

This morning I got the legs done and the table top down. All that is left on that is to make a couple of cross braces for below to hold a shelf up and paint the wood. Already put the grain elevator on the table. Not in the spot I want it but off the other table so I can work on that. That has been it so far today. I got another set of Weaver trucks and couplers from EBAY in the mail today. Was going to put some more time in on the layout but the wife asked if I would make some Sauerkraut soup. Of course I said yes to the CEO. But it takes a long time to make. Plus I had to go outside and snow blow the driveway. So that all pretty much filled the day so far. Pics..............Paul

Looking good Paul!!!  You'll have that going in no time!!!   

Jim 

Well today on the layout.   Got my track order along with the A set of Reindeer cars.   BUT the A set that says A on the box is a B set that I already had.   Contacted the dealer and Lionel.   Will see what happens.  Aint looking good.  Track is fine. May go fiddle with the track in a bit.  Aint feeling it.   

Jim 

Checked to see if the CW40 and CW80 are in phase (they are). Put down a block terminal so I could fit TVS', set up a shared common ground, and power the FT and O27 tracks without adding too much to the transformer posts.

Deuce posted:

Checked to see if the CW40 and CW80 are in phase (they are). Put down a block terminal so I could fit TVS', set up a shared common ground, and power the FT and O27 tracks without adding too much to the transformer posts.

Yep I ran my two CW80s with common ground for the track and accessories.   Worked great. 

Jim 

carsntrains posted:

Deuce posted:

Checked to see if the CW40 and CW80 are in phase (they are). Put down a block terminal so I could fit TVS', set up a shared common ground, and power the FT and O27 tracks without adding too much to the transformer posts.

Yep I ran my two CW80s with common ground for the track and accessories.   Worked great. 

Jim 

I think for the accessories I'm going to cheat and use a Plug-n-Play accessory track. With the three port one, you can power everything with a wall wart, and I grabbed a 54 Watt/3 Amp transformer. Probably a bit more expensive that way, but the 3A transformer should do the trick for me.

I'll probably pull out my MRC transformer to power the switches and uncoupling track. Hope that one can share a common ground with the other two. At some point I need to grab a ZW or a Z4000.

Honestly with all this wiring, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just give TMCC and Legacy a look. It'd open up so many more options for engines too.

why do i have no idea what you guys are talking about??????

Deuce posted:

carsntrains posted:

Deuce posted:

Checked to see if the CW40 and CW80 are in phase (they are). Put down a block terminal so I could fit TVS', set up a shared common ground, and power the FT and O27 tracks without adding too much to the transformer posts.

Yep I ran my two CW80s with common ground for the track and accessories.   Worked great. 

Jim 

I think for the accessories I'm going to cheat and use a Plug-n-Play accessory track. With the three port one, you can power everything with a wall wart, and I grabbed a 54 Watt/3 Amp transformer. Probably a bit more expensive that way, but the 3A transformer should do the trick for me.

I'll probably pull out my MRC transformer to power the switches and uncoupling track. Hope that one can share a common ground with the other two. At some point I need to grab a ZW or a Z4000.

Honestly with all this wiring, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just give TMCC and Legacy a look. It'd open up so many more options for engines too.

yep Mike Reagan did a good Lionel video on Facebook about phasing multiple transformers.   He did 3 in the video.  Pretty much all transformers will be in phase with the newer style plugs that can only be plugged in one way.   If they are wired correctly.  That's whey it pays to check!   If you go to TMCC, Legacy, or DCS the engines get MUCH more expensive!  All of the new Legacy engines will run via the LC universal remote and smart phone/tablet says Lionel . MTH will run on smartphone/tablet.   Not really a use in buying the command systems anymore! 

Jim 

beardog posted:

why do i have no idea what you guys are talking about??????

Phasing transformers for common ground.   So only one ground is used for the whole layout while using multiple transformers.   Old school lol 

Jim 

Prewar V type Lionel, 150 watt, 4 train